Its another one of those “could there be tram extensions coming” articles and this time we’re off to South Yorkshire where an update (limited as it is) has been given by transport bosses on potential plans for adding to the 30+ year old Supertram network.
As with every update of this nature the details are pretty limited with the general gist being that they are still working on plans, but at least they have gone to the efforts of giving more details.
The update has come from Tom Finnegan-Smith, who is Director of Transport Strategy and Policy at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA). In the update, widely reported in local media, he has said that progress is being made in potentially bringing services to three new destinations.
Plans are being looked at for a tram, or tram-train service, which would link Sheffield to Chesterfield via Barrow Hill, whilst a further line could link Sheffield with Stocksbridge. Both routes could go via the site of the old Victoria Railway Station to provide interchange. A further route could run through Sheffield City Centre with a further link to Royal Hallamshire Hospital.
Funding will, obviously, be a challenge and indeed it was said when they first started to look at these plans last year that they were looking at unfunded schemes which had apparently been commitments of the Conservatives, The funding situation has not changed since then.
Quoted in the local press Mr Finnegan-Smith said: “We are also looking to use available funding to take a wider strategic look at where further public transport improvements could be developed across South Yorkshire. All this forms the basis of our ongoing discussions with the Department for Transport to identify funding which could move these projects forward.”